Alfred never believed in the stories and religions of Andria, but there was no other way to explain what had just happened. Alfred believed their town guardian saved Matthew and he was forever grateful to this person, whoever it was. They saved them when there was no other hope. They were the light in the darkness, the good when evil thrives. Alfred looked up to the sky and silently thanked their guardian. Alfred was not a hero, He was.

Alfred looked back at the situation at hand, silently cursed and rushed over to Matthew. He was bent over in the snow, head in his knees. "Matty! Matty! Are you alright? Look at me." Alfred had his hand on Matthew's shoulder trying to get him up. Matthew wouldn't budge. "Matthew?"

Alfred felt hot tears forming in his eyes; naturally he blinked them away for matthews sake. He didn't want to look un-heroic when he came out of his trance. "Matthew?" he squeaked, not being able to prevent the tears from coming down his cheeks. He had failed his brother. It was his fault for coming out to the woods. This would have never happened if he had just stayed home. Alfred fell to his knees next to his brother. Why was he so weak?

"A-alfred...I-I.." Matthew looked up at his twin, wide-eyed with fear. Alfred smiled in relief and hugged his brother.

"You're alright. I was so scared. You were in a trance. I don't know if I could have been brave without you" Alfred unburied his head from his twin's shoulder and smiled at him again. "You were saved, Matthew."

"I-I know.."

"We need to get you home" Alfred held out his hand for his brother, who gladly accepted, and pulled him up. The two began to walk, Alfred supporting the weight of his brother, on a happy note. Alfred was so excited that Matthew was alright, he began to tell the story in full detail, which of course brought a weak smile on Matthew's lips. Alfred claimed to act older, but he was just an excitable child.

"I mean," Alfred started, "the wolf almost got you. Well, it did get you, but I started to lure it away. After a while, the monster looked over at nothing. I growled then tried to hurt an invisible force then I saw a bright white light and it passed out. The Angels are watching you, Matthew, you are blessed." Alfred's excited tone became one of seriousness and deep thought by the end. He looked to his brother who now had the same expression of thoughtfulness.

"The Guardians?" Matthew whispered "So they are real…"

Alfred nodded "They saved you." Tears began to form again as he squaked, "You would be dead without them. All because of my idiocy."

"You're not an idiot, Alfred." Matthew assured him.

(((888)))

Arthur's eyes fluttered open and the first thing he noticed was that he was in the infirmary. The chain of events hit him like a wave of cold water. The Twins, the beast, the spell, it was all so clear. Arthur winced as he shifted, causing his wing to hurt. My Wing! Arthur's breathing quickened as he noticed the pain, looking over at the flimsy, lifeless wing that had fractured. How could I have been so careless? My most important limb is useless! Arthur silently cursed.

Arthur sighed a bit in relief when he saw his brother walk over. "You're awake" He looked relieved. "How are you feeling?"

Arthur shrugged and motioned to his wing. "How does it look? I am splendid." Alistair let out a slight laugh at the sarcasm and he patted his head.

"You'll be okay. A month and a half, at most, without flying." Alistair sat down beside his brother, wanting to show support.

"A month and a half!" he gasped. "I can't wait that long! There has to be another way!"

Alistair shook his head. "Sorry lad, patients is the best thing, and I said at most. You're a fast healer." Arthur nodded slowly, still not over the shock. Alistair continued. "What you did was brave, lad. You'll surely be back into the field in no time."

Brave? Arthur smiled. So the news spread, huh? Rhonen most have actually been proud. The fledgling shifted his weight in a non-painful way and cuddled with his brother. "I was just doing my job." He mumbled into his lap. Alistair patted his head, smiling fondly at his little brother. Arthur felt himself get pulled back into sleep.

(((888)))

"Mom" Alfred whined. "I swear I didn't mean anything! I wasn't being reckless. Why am I not allowed outside on my own?"

"Because you got yer brother hurt. I don't think you were thinkin' clearly, goin' out to those woods" She snapped, crossing her arms. "And anyways, you have been gettin' into an awful lot of trouble recently, haven't you?"

"I swear I didn't mean to leave the gate open!" Alfred put his hands up defensively. "And anyways, I rounded all of Mr. Packerson's livestock back into the coop."

"But why were you in there in the first place?" His mother scolded. "Go up to your room"

"Yes Ma'am" He sighed and trudged up to his room, stomping loudly to make a point. He opened the door quickly and slammed in behind him. Alfred sat into his mattress and put his head into his hands.

"I didn't mean any of it… Can't she see? Huh, Tony?" Alfred smiled softly over at his Cat. "Can't she see that I hate it inside and want to adventure like Father used to way back then?"

Tony meowed and sat at the windowsill. "I thought so, you think I'm bad, don't ya?" He joked, grinning widely before picking up his cat and placing the feline down next him. This wasn't a successful because the cat just walked to the edge of the bed and jumped off, running under the bed. "Fine then!" He smiled. "You leave me!"

Alfred sighed, laying back into his bed. I hate it here. I want so badly to explore Andria. The world needs more Adventurers, not more innkeepers. That was the exact opposite thing his mother had told him. The conversation was one started when Alfred voiced his wants of being an Adventurer.

It was a dinner of potatoes and ham that night, on of Alfred's favorites. All was going well for them as they discussed what they did during the day.

"-and I met this really cool person at the market today. He was selling goods all the way from Maern!" Alfred smiled widely as he spoke. "I mean, there were all sorts of cloths and spices."

"Why would he sell those in a place like this?" His mother questioned. "I mean, we aint royalty or nobility. We have no need for that."

"I think it was cool!" Alfred beemed. "We barely get anything new around here. I like change, I guess."

"Still" She said, "We have no need for it."

Alfred ignored her and continued on with his story. "He told me about how he traveled around the world. He slayed monsters and saved princesses! I would like to be an Adventurer too!"

"Bullcrap. He saved no princesses, it's all just story to gain fame. The world has enough people trying to make fame, it needs more people for common work."

"Not true!" Alfred defended. "He was telling the truth and I don't want to be stuck in this stupid place my whole life!

"This stupid place is home, if you can't accept that then why don't you go run off with him? See, not a good idea."

Alfred crossed his arms and stared down at his plate. "You'll see" He mumbled. "I'll save the world one day."

(((888)))

Arthur was glad that the nurses let him home so early. They were dead set on having him stay another night, but some slyly placed words got him out. His brother always had a way of convincing people to do whatever he asked for. It was the red hair, Alistair would claim.

Arthur sighed as he entered his living chamber. All Guardian Angels were given a small house to reside in, which were all just rooms inside of the Grand Citadel. All of the second rank Angels lived here. The second rank Angels worked on earth, or did other tasks that put an Angel in danger. These Chambers consisted of a living room ,and a bedroom which connected to a bathroom. It was the size for a single Angel and only had the bare necessities.

Every Angel lived modestly, though. It was their policy and culture to do so; they lived kindly without sin. Most Angels with families lived outside of the Grand Citadel and had small modest homes located in town. These Angels had tasks to help the good of their own kin. They had simple jobs like bakers or teachers. These Angels were looked down upon by new Angels or the arrogant, but most were just kind hearted people who couldn't stand to see the hurt or retired Angels.

Arthur sat down on his mattress and pulled out his prayer beads. His looked up, then back down and began to pray. "All-Mighty Lord, hear me out, I am very appreciative of all of the love you bring me, and how much you help me. I would like to ask only that you help my wings heal swiftly and painlessly so I can return to helping the humans." Arthur thought.

"I would also ask that you look after the blonde twins that were so tragically wounded. I would like to see them smiling next time I go to the earth realm. Thank you for helping me thus far, amen."

Arthur put his beads up layed down into his mattress. How long would it be until I got back to work? It doesn't matter…